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 lesson,—well, a lady cyclist on the roads would be an impossibility."

"I suppose every woman shrinks from violence," said Jessie. "I suppose men are braver—in a way—than women. It seems to me—I can't imagine—how one could bring oneself to face a roomful of rough characters, pick out the bravest, and give him an exemplary thrashing. I quail at the idea. I thought only Ouida's guardsmen did things like that."

"It was nothing more than my juty—as a gentleman," said Mr. Hoopdriver.

"But to walk straight into the face of danger!"

"It's habit," said Mr. Hoopdriver, quite modestly, flicking off a particle of cigarette ash that had settled on his knee.